A Day of Triumph and Tribute
The eighth race on Saturday, 11 September 2010, which was hosted at Belmont Park Race Course was a race that will be long remembered for the connections of Aces Mark. The fact he placed second did not disappoint them at all, because it was the fact the Aces Mark was actually racing and what he represented that mean the most. Remembering a day of heroes and lost friends, and seeing a horse that everyone thought would not return to the track again was an inspiring and unforgettable moment in time.
Lew Mongelluzzo is not only a part owner of Aces Mark but an Ottawa Senators scout and a Team Power Play Racing managing partner. After losing two close friends, Mark Bavis and Ace Baily, both magnificent hockey players, in the September 11th attacks of the World Trade Centre, Mongelluzzo has always dreamt of buying a horse in their honor and naming it Aces Mark. In 2006, Mongelluzzo found the perfect colt. After laying out the purchase price of $150 000, he was in desperate need of assistance for the daily upkeep and needs of the horse. The hockey industry joined together and gave Mongelluzzo all the help he needed. Unfortunately there was one more problem, Aces Mark had difficulty breathing. An infection was found after Aces Mark had undergone an operation to repair his breathing problems, which in turn led to numerous procedures to his larynx and epiglottis. No-one believed that Aces Mark, aged six now, would step onto a race course. In his career, he has only earned approximately $80 000 from his four victories and six top three placings off twenty career starts.
Fate would play yet another role in this horse’s life. The connections for Aces Mark, were unable to find a race for him to run in, either due to lack of contenders or various other reasons. Then they found the eighth race on the card at Belmont Park on 11 September 2010. The date, the challenges and the people Aces Mark represented could not have been more perfect. Stepping out onto the racecourse as a serious contender, and carrying with him the memory of two very talented and sorely missed people, Aces Mark fought hard for his second place finish behind Hear the Footsteps and before third place finisher Zealous Boy.
